Police are calling it a tragic coincidence that three pedestrians have been struck and killed since Nov. 13 while crossing Michigan Avenue near Lotz in Canton.

Detective Sgt. Dan Traylor said the deaths "sadly" are coincidental and serve as a reminder for pedestrians to use caution when crossing roads like Michigan Avenue that have a 55 m.p.h. speed limit. He said it's easy to misjudge how quickly a vehicle is approaching.

The latest incident occurred about 11:30 p.m. Dec. 12 when a 30-year-old Canton woman, whose car had broken down, was crossing the westbound lanes of Michigan Avenue at Lotz near the McDonald's restaurant. She was trying to get from the south side of the avenue to the north.

The woman, whose name hasn't yet been released, was struck by an oncoming vehicle whose driver stopped at the scene. Police said speed, alcohol and distracted driving do not appear be factors.

The victim was taken to St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, where she later died from her injuries.

The Canton Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team was called in to investigate.

The woman's death came after a double pedestrian fatality near the same area that killed 54-year-old Martin Jude Lesinski of Westland and 45-year-old Robert James Locklear of Inkster. That incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. Nov. 13 and involved three vehicles.

Police have said the fatalities occurred in areas that were not designated as a crosswalk.

In the Nov. 13 incident, two of the drivers stopped. Police have said speed, alcohol and distracted driving didn't appear to be factors with them.

Police are still trying to identify and locate a third driver who reportedly fled the scene in a dark blue or black minivan, possibly a Dodge Caravan. The driver was described as male, 36-40 years old and clean-shaven with short black hair. Police say he briefly got out of his vehicle before leaving the scene.

Police say the two men were walking north across the eastbound lanes of Michigan Avenue. Lesinski was struck by the vehicle that fled the scene and then by another vehicle, a Buick Lacrosse, whose driver did stop, police said.

Locklear was struck by a Ford Expedition. That driver also stopped at the scene.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to call the Canton Township Police Department at 734-394-5400.